UNIONIZED public school teachers have strong political clout. Legislators usually give them what they seek - including job-protection laws making it extremely difficult to remove the incompetent or unfit. Unless a teacher commits a sex offense or other crime, there's little that can be done about those unable to educate.

But the teachers union in Toledo, Ohio, does something to fix the problem. A system of peer review weeds out ineffectual teachers. According to National Public Radio, every year for the past 27 years, a panel of Toledo administrators and teachers has met behind closed doors to discuss teachers designated "incompetent."

Under peer review, each facet of teaching is scrutinized: lesson plan, presentation and preparation. Teachers are also examined to see if they understand the materials they teach and how well they engage and discipline students. This level of accountability produces high standards in Toledo.

In West Virginia, parents and children often lament certain teachers, but the subject is taboo. Whispering is prevalent, action rarely taken. Parents who have been informed by other parents and former students steer their children out of inept teachers' classes. Other children get stuck. The state has many fine, qualified teachers. They should not be lumped together with incapable ones.

In Toledo's peer review system, recommendations to terminate a teacher for doing poorly can be overturned, but this rarely happens, and teachers rarely appeal the decision. Today, union members in Toledo overwhelmingly support the policy. The American Federation of Teachers endorsed peer review in 1984. And the National Education Association, the nation's largest teacher union, recently dropped its opposition to peer review.

Young people are West Virginia's greatest resource. They have a right to highly qualified teachers. Teachers with no history knowledge should not teach history. Teachers with no lesson plan should not be permitted to walk through school doors.

Schools demand high expectations from students; they should demand the same from teachers. A few teachers should not be teaching. West Virginia should give serious study to the peer review system that is gaining favor.

But the teachers union in Toledo, Ohio, does something to fix the problem. A system of peer review weeds out ineffectual teachers. According to National Public Radio, every year for the past 27 years, a panel of Toledo administrators and teachers has met behind closed doors to discuss teachers designated "incompetent."

Under peer review, each facet of teaching is scrutinized: lesson plan, presentation and preparation. Teachers are also examined to see if they understand the materials they teach and how well they engage and discipline students. This level of accountability produces high standards in Toledo.

In West Virginia, parents and children often lament certain teachers, but the subject is taboo. Whispering is prevalent, action rarely taken. Parents who have been informed by other parents and former students steer their children out of inept teachers' classes. Other children get stuck. The state has many fine, qualified teachers. They should not be lumped together with incapable ones.

In Toledo's peer review system, recommendations to terminate a teacher for doing poorly can be overturned, but this rarely happens, and teachers rarely appeal the decision. Today, union members in Toledo overwhelmingly support the policy. The American Federation of Teachers endorsed peer review in 1984. And the National Education Association, the nation's largest teacher union, recently dropped its opposition to peer review.

Young people are West Virginia's greatest resource. They have a right to highly qualified teachers. Teachers with no history knowledge should not teach history. Teachers with no lesson plan should not be permitted to walk through school doors.

Schools demand high expectations from students; they should demand the same from teachers. A few teachers should not be teaching. West Virginia should give serious study to the peer review system that is gaining favor.